Chapter 5: Why Are You Like This?
After a while, Csepel finally finished working for free for the student council.
His arms ached, his brain was tired, and he still didn't know how he got roped into any of this. He just wanted to go back to class, maybe pretend today never happened.
He turned to leave.
But before he could reach the door, he felt a light touch on his shoulder.
"...Sigh," he muttered, already knowing who it was.
He looked back and saw Ayano, standing close as usual, her hand still resting on him like they were best friends or something. She was staring at him in that blank, unreadable way again.
Csepel tilted his head. "What now?"
Ayano said nothing. Instead, she stepped forward—and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.
It wasn't tight. It wasn't warm either. It was just… a hug. From a girl he had barely known for a few hours.
Csepel blinked. "...What are you doing?"
Ayano's voice came softly near his ear. "It's a reward."
"A reward?"
"Yes. Boys like it when pretty girls hug them, right? It stops them from getting frustrated."
Csepel stared into the void over her shoulder.
Then he said flatly, "We aren't even close. We just met."
Ayano pulled back and looked at him thoughtfully.
"You're right," she said. "We just met. That is strange."
She tilted her head like a curious cat. "Why did I hug you?"
"I was going to ask that," Csepel said, half-exhausted.
Ayano let go, her arms falling to her sides. She looked lost in thought, as if she was trying to solve a very complicated math problem.
Csepel didn't wait for her to figure it out. He turned around and headed straight for the door.
"Come to the student council room tomorrow," Ayano called out behind him. "I'll need your help again."
Csepel paused.
Sighed.
And walked faster.
Why is she acting like we're friends?
He didn't get it. Maybe this was some weird second-year prank. Maybe she just liked messing with him. Or maybe she really was a witch.
---
The rest of the school day went back to normal. No more boxes, no more weird hugs, no more robotic vice presidents kicking his leg for fun.
Csepel almost forgot about the incident.
Almost.
As the final bell rang, students started packing their things and getting ready to go home. Laughter filled the classroom, footsteps echoed in the hallway, and chairs scraped against the floor.
Csepel finished stuffing his books into his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out of class.
And there she was.
Ayano.
Standing right outside his classroom door.
Waiting.
Again.
Csepel froze. He considered turning around, but she was already looking at him.
Their eyes met.
He sighed.
He tried walking past her without saying anything, hoping she'd just vanish like a weird dream.
She didn't.
"Trying to ignore me?" she asked.
"I'm trying to go home," he replied.
"We met today," he said, a little more firmly this time. "Why are you acting like we're close?"
Ayano looked at him with her usual calm eyes. "Because your face is handsome."
"…Huh?"
"You look like my type."
Csepel stared.
Then sighed again. "You're not mine."
Ayano nodded. "Then I'll become your type."
"That's impossible," he said, stepping to the side.
Ayano followed. "Then I'll try."
"Why?"
Ayano gave a small shrug. "Because it's interesting."
Csepel narrowed his eyes. "I don't need interesting right now. I just want to go home."
Ayano let out a quiet sigh, rare from her. Then she looked at him and asked, "Can we walk home together?"
Csepel didn't answer at first. His mind was tired. His heart was neutral. His soul had already left his body somewhere back in the student council room.
"…Fine," he said at last.
Ayano smiled, just barely.
And they began walking.
---
The sky was painted in soft oranges and purples as they made their way home. The neighborhood streets were peaceful, cicadas humming in the background.
They didn't talk much.
Csepel didn't know what to say, and Ayano didn't seem like she needed words to be comfortable. She just walked beside him, quietly, like they'd been doing it for years.
At one point, she asked, "Do you always walk home alone?"
"Usually," he said.
"Do you feel lonely?"
"No."
Ayano nodded. "That's good."
A few more steps in silence.
Then Ayano spoke again.
"You're not like the other boys."
Csepel rolled his eyes. "Thanks."
"That's a compliment."
"I didn't say it wasn't."
Another moment of quiet passed.
"…You're really not going to stop this, are you?" he finally asked.
"Stop what?"
"Whatever this is."
Ayano tilted her head. "No. I don't think so."
Csepel sighed again, but this time, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Figures."
---
To be continued...
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